Abila Lysanius (Souq Wadi Barada)

Abila Lysanius represents a missing link in the Roman road network connecting Damascus and Baalbek. Today, visitors pass through a striking rocky passage carved in the second century CE, elevated above winter flood levels, the grooves of ancient chariot wheels are still etched into the limestone. Scattered around the corridor are the bases of Corinthian columns that once lined a portico belonging to a temple dedicated to Jupiter. Carved cisterns reveal a sophisticated water-harvesting system.